Prayer Request 7/31 - 8/6

Tuesday
The recent scandal about vaccines in China is actually nothing new since similar problems have made the news several times in the past decade and it seems there is no way to stop it. The vaccines, drugs, and even baby milk powder have quality issues and contain toxic substances. Many parents leave their children at home or give up trying because there are no children's programs at church or their children do not like it. We pray that Christian parents will teach their children to know God and feed them spiritual nourishment. May the Lord protect the children of China.
Wednesday
Many Chinese parents have little confidence in the quality of infant formula made in China, so people continue to purchase milk powder from abroad via all kinds of channels. It is natural that parents try to get the very best for their children. We pray that Christian parents will persist in teaching their children God's word from a very young age and that they will not give up because they feel they do not have the ability to tell Bible stories.
Thursday
China's pharmaceutical industry is enormous and its drug regulatory agency has tried to correct myriads of deficiencies while pushing the goal of producing all vaccines there. The outcry of parents at this time is directed at the shoddy quality of vaccines intended for children. After the implementation of the new religious laws, some churches no longer have children in attendance. We pray for all Christian parents to have boldness and wisdom, much like the mother of Moses in the Old Testament, determined to rear children God can freely use.
Friday
A very prestigious junior high school in Beijing​ requires incoming seventh graders to complete the Chinese language homework for the following summer, to do calligraphy, to recite classic poems, to complete required book reading, visit a museum , and then to make a report of their summer experiences. ​Many churches offer summer activities or even retreats for their youth. We pray that the young people will not only know more about God but will also realize that God has a special plan for them and be willing to follow Jesus even though they are still young.​
Saturday
In China, young people who are going into junior high are required to do math and English homework before they can enter​. Schools discourage students from playing computer games and require them to play Sudoku instead. There are also English stories they are required to read. ​We pray that Christian parents will use the summer break to help their children work on their relationship with the Lord--that they will help them to pray and daily read the Bible along with sharing stories of Jesus with them.​
Sunday
In contrast to China, students in Taiwan who are going into junior high school have little homework​ to do that summer. Junior high and elementary schools in Taiwan no longer require homework during summer and winter breaks.​Many Chinese Christian parents allow their children to skip church during the school year. ​ We pray that churches will have a concrete strategy to help parents teach their children to walk with Jesus and to know that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."
Monday
Many new converts who return to China from abroad find it is almost impossible to balance their work schedule, and daily routine with their faith. Although they know they should put God first, real-life scenarios often don't let them do that. Work culture and work-related entertainment prevent many believers ​from ​having meaningful church lives. We pray for a personal walk with Jesus despite the demanding work schedule and ​may ​the Lord help them to know how to resist temptation.


星期二
中國疫苗曾發生數次醜聞，卻難以杜絶。過去十年，中國的疫苗、藥品，甚至嬰兒奶粉都出了造假或是含毒事件。許多信徒家長不帶孩子到教會，因為教會沒有兒童節目，或是孩子不喜歡，導致家長也放棄。我們來為信徒祈求，願主幫助他們有信心和智慧教導子女認識神，哺育孩子們靈糧，使孩子在神和人的喜愛中健全成長。
星期三
許多中國父母都想方設法從海外採購奶粉，可算是中國消費者對本國嬰兒奶粉不信任的最佳明證。為人父母為孩子著想，想給孩子最好的，是很正常的事。我們為信徒家長能堅持自己從小教導孩子神的話語來禱告，而不推諉責任認為自己沒有恩賜，把教導的責任全都推給教會。
星期四
中國的製藥行業規模巨大，藥品監管當局一直希望能肅清其中的歪風，並同時推進疫苗國產化。兒童的疫苗出了問題，是中國父母無法忍受的。近來因著新宗教法的實施，有些教會不能有給孩童的聚會。我們為信徒家長有像摩西母親的勇氣和智慧禱告，不論如何，都堅持要為神養育合祂心意的孩子。
星期五
北京一所著名中學對初中新生的暑假作業要求，光是國文科就有五項，包括書法、背詩、閱讀及參觀首都博物館等，再加寫兩篇暑期經歷。教會也嘗試給年輕人一些暑期活動，例如營會。我們為年輕人在這些特別聚會中，不單對神的認識增加了，更是能親身經歷神在他們身上的作為，明白神對他們的美好計劃，並在年輕的時候就願意委身，一生跟隨主
星期六
中國初中生的暑假作業，不只國文、數學和英文，還另外要閱讀有關數學的書，練習題目，還推薦國一新生拋開電動遊戲，玩很熱門的益智遊戲數獨（sudoku）。英語則是要求至少閱讀二十篇英語小故事。我們為信徒家長能把握暑假更多建立親子間與神的關係禱告，求主賜他們智慧向孩子分享信仰，也幫助孩子建立天天讀經和禱告的屬靈好習慣。
星期日
相較中國，台灣小學生上初中就沒有太多要求。兩、三年前，初中和小學都已「取消」學生寒暑假的作業。許多信徒家庭在孩子上學的日子裡，都讓孩子「主日不必去教會」。求主幫助教會也有明確的策略，校正家長的眼光，看屬天的事比俗世的事更重要，幫助孩子知道「敬畏耶和華是智慧的開端」。
星期一
一些在海外初信的年輕信徒回國後發現，在工作、教會和家庭中取得平衡，幾乎是不可能的事。雖然理智上知道應該將神放在首位，但是在現實生活中，卻很難做到。職場文化和相關的交際應酬往往阻攔了信徒參與健康的教會生活。我們來為那些身處忙碌工作中的信徒禱告，求主提醒他們，與神同行才能有力量面對種種艱難，也才能遠離試探。